Shirdi (Maharashtra): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that a nation capable of manufacturing its own weaponry shapes its own destiny, while inaugurating a private sector Defence Manufacturing Complex of the NIBE Group in Shirdi, Maharashtra, along with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The newly inaugurated complex is aimed at manufacturing advanced artillery systems, missile and space technologies, rocket systems, energetic materials, and autonomous defence platforms.
During the event, India’s first 300-km Universal Rocket Launching System, ‘Suryastra’, was flagged off, and the foundation stone for a dedicated missile complex for the system was laid. Indigenous TNT Plant Technology, RDX Plant Technology, and a Renewable Bio-Energy Compressed Biogas Plant were also unveiled. A MoU was exchanged between the NIBE Group and BlackSky for cooperation in satellite assembly.
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh stressed the importance of self-reliance in defence manufacturing and expressed confidence that the new facility would help meet the operational requirements of the armed forces while strengthening India’s industrial ecosystem.
“A nation that manufactures its own weaponry writes its own destiny,” he said, adding that defence production, once largely confined to public sector units and ordnance factories, was opened to private participation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Defence Minister said the private sector possesses the capability to transform India into a global manufacturing hub and highlighted the changing nature of warfare. According to him, future conflicts will be determined more by advancements in munitions and automation than by the size of military forces.
He cited the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the West Asia situation, and India’s Operation Sindoor as examples of the growing role of advanced technologies in warfare.
Rajnath Singh called for coordinated efforts to transform India into a global hub for munitions and automated defence systems, assuring that the government is prepared to take every necessary step to support the sector.
“We stand ready to ensure that India emerges as a frontrunner in munitions and automated systems,” he said.
He underlined that technology is meant to enhance, not replace, the role of soldiers, and stressed that final decision-making in warfare must remain in human hands. He urged defence companies to strengthen India’s preparedness for future conflicts and contribute to making the country fully self-reliant in defence and space technology.
Highlighting reforms undertaken over the past decade, the Defence Minister said policy initiatives such as liberalised FDI norms, the Strategic Partnership Model, Positive Indigenisation Lists, and schemes including Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), ADITI, and the Technology Development Fund (TDF) have boosted innovation and encouraged young entrepreneurs.
He noted that private sector participation in defence production, once negligible, has now reached nearly 25–30 per cent and the government aims to raise it to 50 per cent in the coming years.
“This is the New India where private industry is not merely a supplier of components but is emerging as an innovator and manufacturer of advanced weapon systems,” Singh said.
The Defence Minister also emphasised the strong connection between national security and economic growth, stating that defence self-reliance is essential not only for war preparedness but also for peace, development, and economic resilience.
“Aatmanirbharta in defence is not merely a requirement for war, it is a necessity for peace, development, and economic resilience,” he said.
Rajnath Singh expressed hope that the missile complex linked to the Universal Rocket Launching System would significantly enhance India’s future warfare capabilities. He described the indigenous rocket system as a strategic game-changer capable of substantially increasing the nation’s strike power.
He further noted that the manufacturing complex would generate employment and create opportunities for MSMEs, ancillary industries, and local businesses, while equipping youth with advanced technological skills.
In his address, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised the Centre’s efforts to strengthen defence preparedness through the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. He described Operation Sindoor as a reflection of both the bravery of Indian soldiers and the country’s expanding indigenous defence capabilities.
Fadnavis said the active participation of both public and private sectors has transformed India’s defence ecosystem and will continue to reinforce the nation’s strategic strength while contributing to global peace and stability.
The event featured technology demonstrations, MSME defence capability displays, and interactions with industry leaders and defence stakeholders.
Among those present were Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant, Water Resources Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat, along with senior civil and military officials and industry representatives.
